At CCHASM ( Chesterfield Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry), we believe that while the digital world offers a broad reach, the tangible nature of print and direct mail creates a deeper, more personal connection. This is especially true for our mission to provide food appointments with local food pantries (in person and delivery), utility bill financial assistance, and educational resources for area residents who have experienced or are experiencing an emergency.

The stories we share are deeply emotional and a physical letter or brochure can convey that sentiment in a way an email can’t. We've actively used print and direct mail to achieve our goals, from fundraising to community engagement, and we see an incredible opportunity to do so much more with the support of a print grant.

How We've Used Print and Direct Mail

Over the past few years, we've integrated print and direct mail into our core communication strategy. We've found it particularly effective for donor stewardship. For instance, after a major campaign, we've mailed personalized thank-you cards and small printed reports detailing the impact of our donors' generosity. These materials go beyond a simple receipt, showing our supporters exactly how their contributions translated into tangible help—like providing a full Thanksgiving dinner to a family. For our fundraising efforts, we've relied on direct mail appeals, particularly during the holiday season. These mailers include a heartfelt letter sharing a story of a family we've helped, along with a high-quality photograph to make the message truly resonate. We also use print for local event promotion, distributing flyers and postcards to community centers, libraries, businesses, and Churches to encourage local attendance at events like our annual community meal.

Our Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, we plan to significantly expand and refine our use of print and direct mail. Our goal is to move from basic, functional mailers to high-impact, emotionally resonant pieces. We want to tell more in-depth stories through professionally designed booklets and brochures that highlight the positive change we are creating. This would allow us to share testimonials and success stories with a level of visual and narrative detail that is difficult to achieve digitally. We also aim to implement a more sophisticated direct mail strategy by segmenting our donor list. This would allow us to send highly personalized appeals tailored to a donor's past giving history or their specific interests, which we know can dramatically increase engagement and giving rates. We also see a great opportunity to use print materials to recruit more volunteers, using flyers and local mailings to outline the specific ways people can help and the direct impact of their time and effort.

How Print and Direct Mail Help Our Mission

Ultimately, print and direct mail serve as a powerful medium for promoting our message and accomplishing our mission. The physical nature of a mailer creates a tangible link between our organization and our supporters. It allows us to put a piece of our mission directly into their hands, serving as a constant reminder of the valuable work we do and the people we serve. We’ve found that these physical mailers have a longer shelf life and are more likely to be shared among family members than an email. This increases our visibility and helps to build a stronger, more trusting relationship with our community. The personal touch of a printed thank-you note or a letter with a real person's photo makes our cause feel more human and accessible.

How a Print Grant Can Transform Our Work

A print grant would be a transformative resource for us. Currently, the cost of quality printing and postage is a significant barrier to our growth. A grant would enable us to move from basic, low-cost mailers to professionally designed, full-color materials that truly reflect the quality of our work. This would not only enhance our brand but also capture the attention of potential donors and volunteers more effectively. More importantly, it would allow us to scale our outreach efforts. We could reach a wider audience with our fundraising appeals and event promotions, leading to a substantial increase in donations and community involvement. The grant would also allow us to invest in the data-driven, personalized mailing strategies that are currently out of our reach, but that have been proven to generate higher response rates and a greater return on investment. With a print grant, we could amplify our message, deepen our community connections, and ultimately help even more people.